🏟️ SEC Sets March Madness Record

$70+ Million Payout Is Largest In Tournament History

Author

Jeff Chen
April 04, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Welcome to this week’s edition of Sports Industry Weekly as we share insights from the top business headlines from across the sports industry.

📈 The SEC set a record with the most teams in March Madness and will receive the largest payout in tournament history, earning 35 units worth $70 million over six years.

🏒 The NHL and Rogers have agreed upon a groundbreaking 12-year Canadian TV agreement for approximately $7.7 billion USD ($11 billion CAD).

3️⃣ The Los Angeles Sparks will proudly retire the No. 3 jersey this June—honoring Candace Parker as the third player in the team's history to receive this distinction.

🌭 Coastal Carolina University announced that concessions for next year's home football games will be free, following several years of reporting $0 in revenue from concessions and related items.

🎙️ Blue Wire is expanding its sports content network by partnering with four NBA-driven podcasts: D’Angelo Russell’s Backyard Podcast, Penny Hardaway’s Two Cents, Dwight Howard’s Above the Rim with DH12, and Victor Oladipo’s Inner Court.

💰 Trae Young has been named assistant general manager of the Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball program and announced a $1 million donation to the team. He will help evaluate prospects, assist in NIL opportunities, and contribute to fundraising.

⚾️ Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Juan Soto lead MLB in most popular player jerseys for the start of the 2025 season, according to Fanatics' latest report.

🏟️ The Kansas City Chiefs have a decision to make this summer: whether to renovate Arrowhead Stadium or build a new facility.

✨ The NBA announced plans to explore new All-Star Game formats in the future after Commissioner Adam Silver called this year's format "a miss."

🌍 The NBA also shared that they will be partnering with FIBA to explore a new professional men's basketball league in Europe.

🎄 Buffalo Bills will have a new Christmas movie premiere later this year, "A Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story."

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